“Oryoki and the Oryoki Chant” from PKTC Publications is the first book on Oryoki, the monastic way of eating that was introduced to the West by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. The book also contains the first complete commentary in English to the The Sutra of the Recollection of the Noble Three Jewels, which is one of the most basic practices done in one form or another by all Buddhists. This alone should make the book invaluable to every Buddhist.

Oryoki is the Japanese way of turning meals into meditation practice. The Vidyadhara Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche introduced it to his Shambhala community of Western Buddhists in 1980. He adapted it slightly, putting the Tibetan monastic meal liturgy with it. This book starts with a history of Oryoki and continues with a complete explanation of the Tibetan monastic meal liturgy and its use. Although the book was written for the Shambhala community and their practice of Oryoki, the book could be used by any Buddhist wanting to make meals into meditation practice.

The liturgy starts with the Sutra of The Recollection of the Noble Three Jewels which is used in one form or another in all schools of Buddhism. The sutra is used for developing faith and strength of refuge in the Three Jewels. The author has translated the sutra and written an extensive commentary to it that should be of great value to every Buddhist, regardless of their interest in Oryoki.

The author, translator and teacher, Lama Tony Duff, has practiced extensively with Gelug, Kagyu, and Nyingma traditions for 36 years. He is well known for his teaching, contributions to the translation of Tibetan Buddhism, and major works in preserving and re-publishing Tibetan Buddhist texts. Lama Tony was one of the main figures in the development of Oryoki in the early 1980’s, hearing extensive teachings on it from Trungpa Rinpoche and teaching its practice at many seminaries, dathuns, and other practice venues.